Examines evidence on the effects of school and school district size in light of the educational reform movement and increasingly sophisticated telecommunications. Discusses an emerging technology of individualization that could alter conceptions of optimal school size. Focuses on New York studies. Contains 35 references. (SV)

Reviews a New Zealand report titled, "Report of the Economic and Educational Viability of Small Schools Review." Discusses the four aspects of small schools considered in the report: (1) educational viability; (2) economic viability; (3) relationships of small schools with their communities; and (4) conflict between availability and…

Before World War II, British schools provided free meals only to poor, malnourished children. Bombing, evacuation, and food rationing transformed public opinion about child welfare efforts and led to cabinet policies expanding school meals and milk services. Particular outcomes in Scotland and special provisions for small schools are discussed.…

Uses statistical analysis and interviews to examine strategies employed by five small Ontario schools successfully using Independent Learning Courses (ILC). Charts schools' correspondence course completion rates. Surveys administrators. Links ILC success to program structuring, counseling, screening services, student progress monitoring, and…

A survey of representative schools in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois showed that most small and rural schools house middle-level students in buildings primarily designed for elementary or high school students. Middle level students often receive an inappropriate educational program that is not taught by teachers trained to understand and…

Chicago educators are countering anonymity with smaller schools that have been restructured and "recultured" into small learning communities stressing personalized instruction, high student visibility, and teacher collaboration. Since the mid-1990s, 130 small-design elementary and secondary schools serving 42,000 students have been…

A West Virginia study that found that smaller poor schools did better academically than larger poor schools is being replicated in four states. Discusses the survival and successes of one tiny Ohio school, the role of small schools' social capital in compensating for poverty, a small-school researcher's recommended school sizes, and changing…

Explores departmental-policy implementation challenges faced by Australian principals of one-teacher schools during a time of unprecedented structural and organizational change, highlighting international contextual influences on the nation's public sector. Over a five-year period, senior management's relationship to principals implementing policy…

Two national reform movements--one focused on creating small, autonomous schools, the other fixated on a standardization agenda--are basically in conflict. The standards movement is touting the traditional, top-down, centralized, bureaucratic system modeled after Frederick Taylor and his efficiency experts. Progressive, decentralized initiatives…

Twinning, or clustering, is the sharing of resources to promote school improvement. A preferred alternative to school consolidation, twinning makes small schools economically viable. Describes the range of cooperative ventures, ways that schools can collaborate, and the advantages and disadvantages of clustering. Presents a list of principles…

The Meeting School is a boarding high school in New Hampshire based on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends, which emphasize simplicity, honesty, the peaceful resolution of conflict, the dignity of physical labor, mutual trust, and care for each other and the earth. Describes how students and faculty participate fully in the life of…

Most distance-education programs involve getting students in small, rural schools, or schools with limited resources, hooked up with teachers in large districts or in community colleges and universities. Schools need to keep a close eye on possible implementation problems and document results. Sidebars list six suggestions for distance teachers…

Schools and districts with large number of economically disadvantaged students are likely to have higher average test scores if both are smaller. Larger school sizes, up to a reasonable limit, improve average test scores in affluent communities. Achievement among larger schools in larger districts shows the strongest relationship with…

Reports research findings on efforts to reform large urban high schools by creating smaller learning communities: Size matters, but quality matters more; small schools should be created, not imposed; small school need to be accountable. Argues that given these elements, smaller learning communities will significantly improve achievement for all…

A student-initiated nature center project began six years ago when the original participants were in fifth grade. The students did the research, planning, construction, grant writing, and accounting and tied it all to Colorado state standards. Student engagement and self-confidence grew from a sense of responsibility and from knowing that the…